KING CHARLES’ VISIT SHOWS FOUNDING DEMOCRATIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CANADA AND AMERICA — THEN AND NOW
Lois Cooper | MuskokaTODAY.com
Pussy cat, pussy cat.
Where have you been?
I have been to Dundurn Castle, to visit the Queen.
Or actually to visit Prince Charles and Camilla on September 28, 2009, in Hamilton.
That was Charles’ 15th visit to Canada and Monday he arrives for the 20th time — his first visit as King.
A precedent-setting event as the King of Canada and of Great Britain opens Parliament only the third time for our monarch. His mother, Queen Elizabeth did so in 1957 and 1977.
This is a wonderful reminder that Canada is a parliamentary democracy and not a republic.
Which means we are less open to being ruled by a dictator; as we see occurring in the U.S.A.
Canada did not become an independent nation through war. We kept our ties to Britain.
Our society is mainly based on standards affected by the British monarchy, Queen Victoria and Albert.
Prince Albert (husband of Queen Victoria), very much a scientist at heart; created the first world trade exhibition in 1851 in London (14,000 participants from around the world). It was quickly followed by one in New York in 1853.
He was against slavery and child labour. He introduced new farming practices, supported better education, improved housing and the arts. Sadly he died at age 42.
So although he had only soft power and worked with Parliament, he greatly affected society. And we continue to prosper from his foundational guidance.
King Charles continues to work tirelessly to better the world around him.
His visit to Canada at this time highlights the difference between us and the U.S.
Canada, a country born out of diplomacy.
America was born out of conflict. First, the revolutionary War of 1776-83, then the Civil War of 1861-65.
We have the British to thank for our independence. In 1776 the Americans invaded seeking to take Quebec. We were then a colony of Britain and it was the British that sent the Americans packing.
In 1812, the Americans invaded Canada to take control of North America (sound familiar). We were still a British colony and the British forces along colonial soldiers and aboriginals beat back the Americans.
The Brits set fire to the White House in 1814. The war ended in 1815 with the Treaty of Ghent keeping the pre-war conditions. (Like is needed in Ukraine today.)
Now we are under threat once more and it is no joke.
I welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit.
Let’s continue to be proud independent Canadians, proud of our heritage. Although not perfect as nothing is, Canada is the best nation on earth!
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